Wow! That is how I will start this review because that is the only word coming to mind as I just finished listening to the audio version of Doctor Sleep by Stephen King. It is narrated by Will Patton and I can’t even begin to gush over the great job I think he did. He was the perfect choice to narrate this book as he’s very talented with injecting the right amount of emotion and excitement into his voice at the right time. As for the book I will say that I didn’t think anything would live up to The Shining for me but I was wrong! I was glued to this audio from the beginning to the end and at 18 plus hours that says a lot. It was utterly fantastic!
Doctor Sleep has us returning to one of the most popular characters that Stephen King created and that was Dan Torrance of The Shining. Dan is all grown up now but he is still haunted by the time he spent up at the Overlook Hotel when he was just a boy. It had affected most areas of his life with him turning to alcohol for solace from the depression and violent tendencies he feels.
After arriving in New Hampshire and meeting Billy and getting himself an AA sponsor Dan’s life begins to improve. When he begins working at a nursing home and using his ‘shining’ to help those pass peacefully in death he feels he’s finally found his calling and eventually they begin to call him Doctor Sleep. When he starts receiving messages on his blackboard from twelve year old Abra and learns she needs help he doesn’t hesitate. A crazy bunch of people who call themselves the True Knot go after those who have the shining and use the steam from it in order to keep on living and what they do to them I won’t even say. When they come after Abra though it becomes personal for Dan. However he can never imagine how it will bring alive all his own demons that he’s been running from for years.
Doctor Sleep is awesome! It is Stephen King at his best and listening to it on audio made it all the better for me. It had my heart pounding and my mouth hanging open at some of the twists and turns and I loved every minute!
Buy at: Simon & Schuster, Audible, and iTunes
Source: Review copy provided by the publisher. No compensation was received and all opinions are my own.
Great review, Dar. I’m too much of a wimp for most of King’s books but my husband loves them. I’ll tell him about your review!
Mary, let me know what he thinks of it if he reads it. It was excellent!
I LOVED the audio version as well.
SPOILER…..Azee the Cat, I’m guessing was based on a true story of Oscar the Cat who was able to predict death at a RI nursing home. Here is the link if interested:
http://www.steerehouse.org/shoscar_landing
Diane, the audio was so awesome wasn’t it! I can see myself listening to it again in the future. I agree on Azee the cat. I’ve heard of many animals that have this ability though. It’s interesting isn’t it.
I thought this was an excellent book. I was too excited to wait for the audio so I read it on Kindle last week. My only issue was the slight goofy-ness of The True Knot. They were horrid, granted, but I had a hard time taking them seriously. But I loved the relationship between Abra and Danny, and I thought Danny’s struggle with alcoholism was well drawn.
Sandy, it was excellent on audio. I agree on the True Knot but then King always does have things in his books that don’t completely make sense. I loved the whole relationship with Abra and Danny too as well as where Dan ended up finally in his life. It’s a good end to his story although I could see another book with Abra and Dan maybe… Hopefully. The parts on alcoholism and AA were really well done. My dad has been in AA for 44 years so it was all very familiar to me.
You are much braver than I am… so glad you enjoyed this book!
Lol JoAnn. I love horror.
Too bad I can’t get into horror, a la Stephen King. Glad you enjoyed it.
Harvee, it is too bad you don’t like horror. I love it in books or movies and the more the better.
Aargh! My vivid imagination won’t let me read or watch horror! I know I’m missing out…
LOL Harvee.
I have a feeling that’s too scary for me, especially on audio!
Yeah Kathy, it’s probably not for you since you’re not a fan of horror. Audios sure do add to the spooky factor.
Oh my, Dar! When I saw your topic today, I said “Oh, I can’t wait to see what she thinks of this one!” Stephen King is the King of Spooky! I loved your first word – Wow! How appropriate for this book.
I’m looking forward to reading it during the daylight hours. I’m too chicken to read it at night, surrounded by darkness. Wooo!!
Thanks for sharing today, Dar. Love it!
Lol Connie. I always laugh when people say they have to read scary things in the daylight. I love anything horror at any time of the day. I hope we can chat a bit about the book once you’ve read it.
Never read a King book
You’ve never read a King book Linda? I find that surprising for some reason. You really should if you like creepy and scary at all.
I’m curious, do you have the reading The Shining first?
Margaret I think Doctor Sleep can stand on its own but with that being said I think you benefit from reading (or even watching) The Shining for the backstory of Dan Torrance. They are both awesome!
Darlene, I’m glad you enjoyed this audiobook so much. I think it would be great to listen to. This one’s definitely on my TBR list! Terrific review today.
Susan, I hope you read or listen to it soon. It was so good. If you’ve read The Shining then you definitely want to read this one.
Everybody has been talking about Doctor Sleep and it is making me want to finally take the time to read The Shining. I’m such a wimp though and the thought of that book makes me nervous. LOL! I’m glad to hear that you enjoyed this one so much!
Sam, you’re funny. I’m listening to the audiobook now of The Shining but I love anything scary. I thought you liked creepy too.
I am reading this right now on my nook… I’m enjoying it so far. I think the audio version would really set the mood though. Glad you liked it.
I’ve heard a lot of good things about this book. Glad you enjoyed it!